Sigurd Rascher

Born in Germany in 1907, Sigmud Rascher studied music at Stuttgart secondary school, where he took up the clarinet and then the alto saxophone. He played for several years in cafés in Germany, Switzerland and Holland before graduating. Rascher went on to teach music in primary schools, before deciding to embark on a career as a concert saxophonist.

Given the instrument's limited repertoire, Rascher began to approach leading composers. Among those who responded favourably were Eric Coates, Alexander Glazunov, Darius Milhaud and Jacques Ibert. From his first concerts in 1932, Rascher was acclaimed for his even, silky tone, easy fingering, ability to manage long phrases in a single breath and impressive mastery of the upper register. He attracted the attention of many composers, including Bentzon, Brant, Coates, Cowell, Lamb and Larsson.

In 1934 he was appointed professor of saxophone at the Royal Danish Conservatory in Copenhagen, then at the Malmö Conservatory in Sweden. At the same time, he pursued his concert career throughout Italy, France, England, Spain, Australia and New Zealand. In 1939, he made his first tour of the United States with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and then the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rascher then moved to the United States and resumed his teaching at prestigious schools such as the Julliard School. In 1969, he formed the Rascher Saxophone Quartet.

Sigurd Rascher, who died in 2001, commissioned almost 150 works for saxophone. Renowned for his technical excellence, he also published saxophone methods.